Arkema Announces its Ambition to Focus on High Performance, Industrial & Coating Solutions

Published on 2012-09-19. Author :
SpecialChem

At the Investor Day in Paris, Arkema presented its 2016 ambition to become a world leader in specialty chemicals and advanced materials.

With a selective and profitable growth strategy, the Group targets sales of 8 billion euros and an EBITDA margin of 16% in 2016 while maintaining gearing below 40%.

Beyond, the Group intends to maintain its pace of development and aims to achieve sales of 10 billion euros with an EBITDA margin close to 17% in 2020.

Confident in its long term prospects, Arkema announces that its dividend per share will already show a significant step-up in 2012 and targets beyond a 30% payout ratio on adjusted net income.

The acquisition of Hipro Polymers and Casda Biomaterials in China beginning of this year and the divestment of its Vinyl business beginning of July, were the last steps of the highly successful turnaround of Arkema into a strong player in specialty chemicals.

The Group now enters a new phase of its development with the ambition to become a world leader in specialty chemicals and advanced materials. In this context, Arkema adopts a new corporate image and a new signature "Innovative Chemistry" to better reflect its strong positions in high value niches and its high quality innovation. The Group will now consist of three business segments: High Performance Materials, Industrial Specialties and Coating Solutions.

To achieve its 2016 targets, the Group will continue to implement its profitable growth strategy focusing on end-markets and countries offering a strong potential for development. Sales growth should be balanced between organic growth - supported by innovation in sustainability and geographical expansion in high growth countries with a more balanced approach between China, India, Brazil and Middle-East - and bolt-on acquisitions mainly in High Performance Materials and downstream of its acrylic monomers.

For 2012, the Group confirms its target to achieve an EBITDA close to 1 billion euros.

About Arkema

A global chemical company and France's leading chemicals producer, Arkema is building the future of the chemical industry every day. Deploying a responsible, innovation-based approach, they produce state-of-the-art specialty chemicals that provide customers with practical solutions to such challenges as climate change, access to drinking water, the future of energy, fossil fuel preservation and the need for lighter materials. With operations in more than 40 countries, some 14,000 employees and 10 research centers, Arkema should generate annual revenue of approximately €6.5 billion, and holds leadership positions in all its markets with a portfolio of internationally recognized brands.